After almost cutting off a piece of my thumb several years ago with my utility knife while preparing boards for a book, I became quite cautious when using sharp instruments. Moreover, always try to pass that idea to my students.

Since my first class in 2015, I give my students a simple T-shaped safety straight edges. They are pretty cheap and give me a sense of security for my students’ wellbeing. T-shaped straight edges are cut from a 2-meter aluminum section you can easily buy here in Moscow at any large hardware store.

Along with T-shaped straight edges, I make L-shaped safety straight edges. You may use them instead of T-shaped ones as a safety solution. However, they also allow making nice vertical cuts, or may be used to line up materials stacked in a pile. I would also align my square by setting it along that L-shaped straight edge.

I’m still not sure how shipping for the one-meter-long straight edge would work. Hope to find out pretty soon — with the first order =)

Do you use anything similar? Or do you prefer to buy mass-produced safety straight edges?

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Stepan is the owner and editor of iBookBinding.com since August 2015. He has been a bookbinder since 2006 and has taught hundreds of students since 2014. Recently Stepan spends more time crafting and 3d-printing bookbinding tools than making books.

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